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Biomedical subjects

Y Noda

Publications and source records attributed to Y Noda.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism of a triploid form of Fasciola in Japan.

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism was characterized in a triploid form of Fasciola found in Japan in comparison with F. hepatica, F. gigantica and Korean Fasciola worm. Seventy worms of Fasciola from Japan, three of F. hepatica from Uruguay and Australia, two of F. gigantica from Thailand and one of Fasciola from Korea were used in the study. Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using eight restriction enzymes, BamH I, Bgl II, Dra I, EcoR I, EcoR V, Hind III, Mfl I and Sca I. Three different types (types 1, 2 and 3) were detected from 76 Fasciola worms used in the study. Eight of 70 Japanese worms were categorized in type 2 (F. gigantica type), and the remaining 62 were in type 3 (F. hepatica type).

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Efficacy of the urine antibody test for detection of Helicobacter pylori: comparison with serum antibody tests].

A urine-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (URINELISA) for detection of the antibody for H. pylori has recently been developed. We evaluated the diagnostic capability of the URINELISA test in comparison with two serum IgG antibody kits (HM-CAP and Helico G) for H. pylori infection. The subjects of this study were 173 patients. H. pylori was detected by means of culture, immunohistochemical staining and rapid urease test of endoscopically obtained biopsy specimens. A positive diagnosis of H. pylori was when at least one of three tests was positive and a negative diagnosis when all three were diagnosed as H. pylori positive and 23 as negative. We also examined the diagnostic potential of the antibodies in urine and in serum by using the results of the bioptic methods as the gold standard. The sensitivity of both URINELISA and HM-CAP was 93.3% and that of Helico G 94.7%, while their respective specificities were 47.8%, 65.2% and 52.2%. The URINELISA kit thus showed high sensitivity but relatively low specificity. The latter was due to sampling errors in the bioptic procedure because the subjects of this study included many elderly patients with atrophic gastritis. The level of the antibody in urine decreased markedly after 2 months of eradication therapy. We conclude that the URINELISA kit is as effective as serum antibody kits for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Microvolume blood-sampling device with low hemolysis and high consistent yield of serum components.

BACKGROUND: Blood sampling by finger puncture is convenient, but the need for centrifugation and the problem of hemolysis remain, as does instability when samples must be shipped for analysis. We aimed to develop a blood-sampling device that provided high yields of serum with limited hemolysis and enabled preservation of serum components for at least 7 days at room temperature. METHODS: For separation of blood cells, we devised a grooved, asymmetric, polysulfonate membrane impregnated with sucrose. We evaluated hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in the serum, assay values for 15 frequently measured serum components (including glucose), and the stability of analytes in the device. RESULTS: In sera from the new device, the Hb concentration was <or=0.43 mg/L. Recovered serum contained 65.0% +/- 4.2% (mean +/- SD; n = 41) of each of the serum components obtained by centrifugation. Serum components were stable in the device for 10 days at room temperature (25 degrees C). CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed device allows recovery of 60% of serum components from microvolumes of blood by finger puncture with neither degradation of analytes at room temperature nor hemolysis.

Blood Cells↗
PubMed2001

[Clinical efficacy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of biliary tract diseases].

This study was carried out to clarify the efficacy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the diagnosis of biliary tract diseases, Three hundred and eleven patients who underwent MRCP and ERCP during the period from January 1999 to December 1999 at our institution were included in the study. Two gastroenterologists who were blinded to results of direct cholangiography and final diagnoses interpreted MRCP images prospectively. The biliary duct was visualized by MRCP and ERCP in 99.4% and 89.5% of the cases, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRCP in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis were 95%, 97%, and 97%, respectively. MRCP depicted the presence of strictures with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 97%, 96%, and 96%, respectively. There were three false-positive cases because of artifacts from arterial compression, The accuracy of MRCP and ERCP in differentiation of benign strictures from malignant ones was 85% and 96%, respectively. Based on these results, it is concluded that MRCP has high capability in visualization of the biliary tree, and in detection of stones and strictures, To avoid over and under-diagnosis, awareness of some pitfalls inherent in, MRCP is important. We suggest that MRCP should be recommended for patients with suspicion of biliary tract diseases in the initial stage of making diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Neuroactive steroid and stress response].

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), a neuroactive steroid, has been demonstrated to bind to sigma 1 receptors, and it has antidepressive effects in the forced swimming test. We used the conditioned fear stress, which is useful for investigating the pathogenesis of mood disorders. DHEAS attenuated the conditioned fear stress response in mice, the effects being antagonized by a sigma 1 receptor antagonist. It is interesting that, the DHEAS contents and number of apoptotic cells in the brain of mice showing conditioned fear stress response were decreased and increased, respectively, compared with those in the nonstressed mice. DHEAS prevented the expression of apoptosis induced by conditioned fear stress. These findings suggest that the imbalance of neuroactive steroids and the expression of apoptosis play an important role in the expression of conditioned fear stress response and that the use of DHEAS is a novel therapeutic approach for at least some mood disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of nitric oxide in phencyclidine-induced place aversion and preference in mice.

The present study investigated the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in phencyclidine (PCP)-induced place aversion and preference in the place conditioning paradigm. PCP-induced place aversion in naive mice was dose-dependently attenuated by administration of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, during the conditioning. The NOS activity and dopamine (DA) turnover in the hippocampus in mice showing PCP-induced place aversion were decreased, such changes being restored by administration of L-NAME during the conditioning. On the other hand, PCP-induced place preference in mice pretreated with PCP for 28 days was not attenuated by administration of L-NAME during the conditioning. Although NOS activity was not changed, the DA turnover in the cerebral cortex was increased in mice showing PCP-induced place preference. In mice pretreated with L-NAME and PCP for 28 days before the place conditioning paradigm, PCP neither induced place preference, nor changed the NOS activity or DA turnover. These results suggest that NO is involved in the acquisition of PCP-induced aversive effects, and in the development of PCP-induced preferred effects. Further, the functional change of the DAergic neuronal system mediated by NO in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex may be necessary for the expression of aversive effects and development of preferred effects, respectively, induced by PCP.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Antioxidant activity of nasunin, an anthocyanin in eggplant peels.

The free radical scavenging activities and inhibitory effect of lipid peroxidation of a delphinidin derivative in eggplant were investigated. Delphinidin-3-(p-coumaroylrutinoside)-5-glucoside (nasunin), an anthocyanin, was isolated as purple colored crystals from eggplant peels. Using electron spin resonance spectrometry and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), hydroxyl radicals (OH) or superoxide anion radicals (O(2)(-)) generated by the Fenton reaction or the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system were measured as DMPO-OH or DMPO-OOH spin adducts. L-Ascorbic acid 2-[3, 4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8, 12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6yl-hydrogen phosphate] potassium salt (EPC-K1) and bovine erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) were used as standards for OH and O(2)(-) scavengers, respectively. Nasunin showed potent O(2)(-) scavenging (143+/-8 SOD-equivalent U/mg) and OH scavenging (0. 65+/-0.07 EPC-K1-equivalent micromol/mg) activities. Then, by changing the concentration of DMPO to vary the trapping rate of OH, the presence of a competitive reaction between nasunin and OH was studied. The 50% inhibition dose (ID(50)) obtained from the inhibition curve did not change, indicating OH scavenging of nasunin is not due to direct scavenging but inhibition of OH generating system by chelating ferrous ion. Nasunin protection against H(2)O(2)-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate was measured at 586 nm using the indicator of malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals. Nasunin (<50 microM) protected against lipid peroxidation of brain homogenates. The findings suggest that nasunin is a potent O(2)(-) scavenger and has protective activity against lipid peroxidation.

Anthocyanins↗
PubMed2000

Determination of genes involved in the process of implantation: application of GeneChip to scan 6500 genes.

Using the high-density arrays of oligonucleotides (GeneChip) technology, the expression of uterine genes was examined before and after conceptus implantation in mice. Of the 6500 genes analyzed, levels of 399 gene expressions changed; 192 genes increased levels of expression while the remaining 207 genes declined. The findings suggest that both gene activation and deactivation (suppression) are required for successful implantation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Modest neuropsychological deficits caused by reduced noradrenaline metabolism in mice heterozygous for a mutated tyrosine hydroxylase gene.

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the initial and rate-limiting enzyme for the biosynthesis of catecholamines that are considered to be involved in a variety of neuropsychiatric functions. Here, we report behavioral and neuropsychological deficits in mice carrying a single mutated allele of the TH gene in which TH activity in tissues is reduced to approximately 40% of the wild-type activity. In the mice heterozygous for the TH mutation, noradrenaline accumulation in brain regions was moderately decreased to 73-80% of the wild-type value. Measurement of extracellular noradrenaline level in the frontal cortex by the microdialysis technique showed a reduction in high K(+)-evoked noradrenaline release in the mutants. The mutant mice displayed impairment in the water-finding task associated with latent learning performance. They also exhibited mild impairment in long-term memory formation in three distinct forms of associative learning, including active avoidance, cued fear conditioning, and conditioned taste aversion. These deficits were restored by the drug-induced stimulation of noradrenergic activity. In contrast, the spatial learning and hippocampal long-term potentiation were normal in the mutants. These results provide genetic evidence that the central noradrenaline system plays an important role in memory formation, particularly in the long-term memory of conditioned learning.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Proteins in the early golgi compartment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae immunoisolated by Sed5p.

The yeast tSNARE Sed5p is considered to mainly reside in the early Golgi compartment at the steady state of its intracellular cycling. To better understand this compartment, we immunoisolated a membrane subfraction having Sed5p on the surface (the Sed5 vesicles). Immunoblot studies showed that considerable portions (20-30%) of the Golgi mannosyltransferases (Mnt1p, Van1p, and Mnn9p) were simultaneously recovered while the late Golgi (Kex2p) or endoplasmic reticulum (Sec71p) proteins were almost excluded. The N-terminal sequences of the polypeptides detectable by Coomassie blue staining indicated that the prominent components of the Sed5 vesicles include Anp1p, Emp24p, Erv25p, Erp1p, Ypt52p, and a putative membrane protein of unknown function (Yml067c).

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed2000

A case of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) together with total atelectasis of a lung caused by lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion.

Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) is a clinicopathologic entity established by Frizzera in 1974. Reported cases of AILD with pleuropulmonary involvement have been increasing recently. At Nogata Central Hospital, an 82-year-old male inpatient with brain infarctions and chronic bronchitis showed a rapid growth of systemic lymphadenopathy and various other symptoms. We diagnosed the case as AILD by histopathologic examination of a lymph node. Chest radiography and computed tomography demonstrated a loss of volume of the right lung caused by intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and a pleural effusion. Although cases of AILD with pleuropulmonary involvement have been increasing, no cases with almost total atelectasis of a lung have been reported as yet. AILD should be taken into account as a disease which may cause atelectasis of a lung.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

The transition state in the folding-unfolding reaction of four species of three-disulfide variant of hen lysozyme: the role of each disulfide bridge.

The effects of lacking a specific disulfide bridge on the transition state in folding were examined in order to explore the folding-unfolding mechanism of lysozyme. Four species of three-disulfide variant of hen lysozyme (3SS-lysozyme) were prepared by replacing two Cys residues with Ala or Ser: C6S/C127A, C30A/C115A, C64A/C80A and C76A/C94A. The recombinant hen lysozyme was studied as the standard reference containing four authentic disulfide bridges and the extra N-terminal Met: the recombinant hen lysozyme containing the extra N-terminal. Folding rates were measured by monitoring the change in fluorescence intensity associated with tri-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine binding to the active site of refolded lysozyme. It was confirmed that the folding rate of the recombinant hen lysozyme containing the extra N-terminal was the same as that of wild-type lysozyme, and that the folding rate was little affected by the presence of tri-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (triNAG). The folding rate of C64A/C80A was found to be the fastest and almost the same as that of the recombinant hen lysozyme containing the extra N-terminal, and that of C30A/C115A the second, and that of C6S/C127A the third. The folding rate of C76A/C94A was particularly slow. On the other hand, the unfolding rates which were measured in the presence of triNAG showed the dependence on the concentration of triNAG. The intrinsic unfolding rate in the absence of triNAG was determined by extrapolation. Also in the unfolding rate, C76A/C94A was markedly slower than the others. It was found from the analysis of binding constants of triNAG to C64A/C80A during the unfolding process that the active site of C64A/C80A partly unfolds already prior to the unfolding transition. On the basis of these kinetic data, we suggest that C64A/C80A folding transition can occur with leaving the loop region around SS3 (C64-C80) flexible, while cross-linking by SS4 (C76-C94) is important for the promotion of folding, because it is an indispensable constraint on the way towards the folding transition state.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed2000

Mutation analysis of the growth differentiation factor-9 and -9B genes in patients with premature ovarian failure and polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether growth differentiation factor (GDF)-9 or GDF-9B/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-15 mutation is present in Japanese women with premature ovarian failure (POF) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Clinical and molecular studies. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in a university hospital. PATIENT(S): Fifteen women with POF, 38 women with PCOS, and 3 normal fertile controls. INTERVENTION(S): Extraction of DNA from blood samples for subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Amplified DNA was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and/or by direct sequencing. RESULT(S): No missense mutation was found in any exons of the GDF-9 gene and the GDF-9B/BMP-15 gene in patients with POF and PCOS. CONCLUSION(S): The missense mutation in the GDF-9 gene or the GDF-9B/BMP-15 gene is uncommon in anovulatory Japanese women with POF and PCOS.

Adult↗